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“Anytime.”

I shifted my hold on the bag of cake jars, praying the seams of the paper bag wouldn’t give way.

“Why do you have so many cake jars?” Sera peeked into the bag. “I count eight. You know they’re better when fresh, right? You don’t live too far from here and could pick up more any time.”

“For our guards,” I replied. “Because we live in a condo and Sandro doesn’t want them staying inside with me when he’s not there. The poor guys are hanging outside and in the lobby.”

“They’d probably appreciate a hot dog more than cake,” Sera said.

“Ugh, I know, but this is still sustenance. And they have these fancy spoons.”

“Oh, they’ll devour anything,” Divina replied.

I hugged my sisters-in-law goodbye. I couldn’t have asked for better ones. This outing was exactly what I needed, and it restored a pep to my spirit.

Miller and Al were taking me home first, followed by Divina, and finally Sloane, who still insisted on taking the subway, but Divina overruled her.

“Did you guys like the desserts?” I asked Miller and Al.

“They’re not bad.” It was Miller who answered. “They were too light. I barely tasted anything. Now, I’m craving a donut.”

I looked at my bag of cake jars again, remembering what Sera said. Whatever. The men were getting cake jars.

“Let’s go pick up a box from the bodega after we drop off the ladies,” Al said.

My chest shook with silent laughter, but I was looking forward to going home.

“Did you guys hear from Sandro?” I asked.

“No,” Miller said. “But Sticks said he’s back at the condo.”

“What?” I checked my phone again. His dot was still invisible to me. And he hadn’t responded to my texts.

“What’s up with guys not responding to texts tonight?” I mused.

“Not my Tommy,” Divina said. “He says he misses my sexy ass.”

“Oooh, your hubby getting frisky?” Sloane teased, looking over to where Divina was texting.

“Hmm…maybe this night apart was good,” she answered.

“It is,” Al said. “You don’t want your man too complacent having the little wife at home.”

“Is that what your girlfriend does to you, Al?” Divina asked.

“Yeah, she drives me nuts. I have to iron my own clothes and come home to microwave dinners now because she’s too busy with her different book clubs.”

“Then you have to make yourself more interesting than a book club,” Sloane said.

“You givin’ me relationship advice, woman, when you have no man?”

“Well, you’re giving them advice when your woman finds a book more pleasant company than you,” she retorted.

“Shots fired,” Miller crowed.

Al swatted him upside the head. “Shut up, you punk.” Then he sighed. “Yeah, this book thing just started, but what I’m sayin’ is, I miss her.”

“Then do something, Al. Don’t get complacent.” I used his words against him.